Award-winning transformer plant opens in Wuhan

Wuhan has a new "green" transformer factory, designed in accordance with the principles of energy saving and CO2 emission reduction.

The new factory, recently inaugurated by AREVA’s Transmission and Distribution Division and Shanghai Electric, will design, manufacture and test high and Ultra High Voltage power transformers, supporting the building of China’s UHV power grid.

Called the SEC AREVA Wuhan Transformer Plant, it won the 2009 AREVA Sustainable Development Award, which recognises worldwide company projects for their significant contribution to sustainable development.

Some examples of environmental initiatives include top priority given to materials with minimum impact on the environment, exterior lighting powered by solar energy, waste water condensed from steam used in air-conditioning and heating, and rain water collection built for landscape irrigation.

The Shanghai Electric AREVA Wuhan Transformers Plant represents the extension of the cooperation between Shanghai Electric and AREVA. This follows the creation of the AREVA Shanghai Transformers Plant.

"The SEC AREVA Wuhan Transformer Plant represents our largest investment in China in recent years and demonstrates our contribution to sustainable development," said Philippe Guillemot, Chairman and CEO of AREVA’s T&D division. "In addition to local manufacturing at facilities like Wuhan, AREVA T&D’s Technology Center created last year in Shanghai will provide local research and development in Ultra High Voltage, to further support China’s UHV power grid building ambition," he added.